Sonic
Updates CinePlayer CE Navigator to Target Burgeoning In-Car Entertainment
Market
Collaborates with QNX, Leading Embedded
Systems Vendor
March 22, 2007 — Sonic Solutions® (NASDAQ: SNIC),
the leader in digital media software, today announced a collaboration with
QNX Software Systems, the leading operating system provider for the in-car
infotainment industry, to address the growing market opportunity for automobile
entertainment. As part of the relationship, Sonic has updated CinePlayer®
CE Navigator, its robust software-based media playback and navigation engine,
to be compatible with the QNX® Neutrino® realtime operating system, which
is used by major industries such as the automotive sector to run mission-critical
applications and consumer electronics platforms. As an integrated component
of QNX Neutrino, CinePlayer Navigator provides a cost-effective way for
automobile manufacturers to offer passenger entertainment systems that
deliver rich media playback, navigation, and an exceptional viewing experience.
According to analysis from Frost & Sullivan (www.transportation.frost.com)
the revenue for North American Automotive Infotainment Systems Markets
totaled $2.01 billion in 2004 and is projected to more than double to $4.84
billion by 2011.
“Our research indicates the demand for in-dash navigation and entertainment
systems in new cars will grow from 10 million units this year to over 55
millions in 2012," said Dr. Jon Pedddie of the multimedia market research
firm Jon Peddie Research in Tiburon CA. "Most of the vehicle manufactures
are responding to consumer demand for mobile entertainment and using in-car
infotainment systems as a way to influence purchasing decisions and differentiate
their products. Sonic is taking the correct approach to entering this market
by aligning themselves with a clear category leader. CinePlayer Navigator
will represent an attractive, cost-effective option to car manufacturers
who wish to cut system costs so they may offer in-cab entertainment in
a higher number of vehicles.”
Based on the same technology trusted by Hollywood studios, CinePlayer
CE Navigator is a software-based DVD playback engine that delivers broad
playback compatibility on a variety of platforms. The proven technology
offers stunning picture quality and supports all standard video and audio
formats offered in the DVD specification, as well as advanced functions
such as anamorphic widescreen video, motion menus, and multiple video angles.
“QNX is extremely pleased to work with Sonic and to offer CinePlayer Navigator
as a valuable add-on to QNX realtime embedded OS technology,” said Dave
Curley, vice president of marketing at QNX Software Systems. “CinePlayer
Navigator’s flexible and efficient design helps further our goal to enable
QNX customers to effectively tackle implementation challenges and quickly
bring advanced digital media platforms to the automotive market.”
“It is exciting to be working with such an established industry leader
that has helped create in-cab systems for more than 180 vehicle models,”
said Jim Taylor, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic's Advanced
Technology Group. “CinePlayer Navigator’s entry into the automotive sector,
once again reinforces the broad market appeal of our technology, which
is helping to shape and influence consumers’ digital media experience on
an ever increasing number of consumer electronic devices.”
Created by Sonic's Advanced Technology Group, CinePlayer Navigator is
part of the company’s growing portfolio of technologies that are being
licensed to enable media playback, as well as DVD recording and authoring.
Sonic’s technologies are licensed by leading technology companies such
as Adobe, Microsoft, and Scientific Atlanta and used to enable digital
media experiences in a wide variety of markets including consumer electronics,
PCs, kiosks, automotive entertainment systems, and music download services.
In addition to standard-DVD, Sonic recently introduced comprehensive support
for emerging high-definition formats, Blu-Ray Disc (BD) and HD DVD.
For more information on Sonic's technologies for application developers,
visit: http://www.sonic.com/products/Developer/AuthorScript/quicklook.aspx.
About QNX Software Systems
QNX Software Systems, a Harman International company (NYSE: HAR), is the
industry leader in realtime, embedded OS technology. The component-based
architectures of the QNX® Neutrino® RTOS and QNX Momentics® development
suite together provide the industry’s most reliable and scalable framework
for building innovative, high-performance embedded systems. Global leaders
such as Cisco, DaimlerChrysler, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, and
Siemens depend on QNX technology for network routers, medical instruments,
vehicle telematics units, security and defense systems, industrial robotics,
and other mission- or life-critical applications. Founded in 1980, QNX
Software Systems is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, and distributes
products in over 100 countries worldwide. Visit www.qnx.com.
About Sonic Solutions
Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC; http://www.sonic.com)
is the leader in digital media software, providing a broad range of interoperable,
platform-independent software tools and applications for creative professionals,
business and home users, and technology partners. Sonic's products range
from advanced DVD authoring systems and interactive content delivery technologies
used to produce the majority of Hollywood DVD film releases, to the award-winning
Roxio®-branded CD and DVD creation, playback and backup solutions that
have become the premier choice for consumers, prosumers and business users
worldwide.
Sonic products are globally available from major retailers, online at
Sonic.com and Roxio.com, and are bundled with PCs, after-market drives
and consumer electronic devices. Sonic's digital media creation engine
is the de facto standard and has been licensed by major software and hardware
manufacturers, including Adobe, Microsoft, Scientific-Atlanta, Sony, and
many others. Sonic Solutions is headquartered in Marin County, California.
Sonic, the Sonic logo, Sonic Solutions, Roxio, and CinePlayer, are trademarks
or registered trademarks of Sonic Solutions or its subsidiaries in the
United States and/or other countries. All other company or product names
are trademarks of their respective owners and, in some cases, are used
by Sonic Solutions under license.
Forward Looking Statements
The above paragraphs of this press release may contain forward looking
statements that are based upon current expectations, including views
regarding future automotive infotainment systems and the potential for
CinePlayer CE Navigator. Actual results could differ materially from
those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of various
risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in the Company's annual
and quarterly reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's most
recent annual report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and other reports on file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which contain a more detailed
discussion of the Company's business including risks and uncertainties
that may affect future results. The Company does not undertake to update
any forward looking statements.
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